Let’s be real, systems don’t build themselves.

In this quick and punchy Hot Tip Friday episode, I share the truth about how systems actually get created inside a growing pet care business. Spoiler: it’s not by accident.

As someone who naturally gravitates toward marketing and sales, I had to work hard to force operational systems into my company. But once I hit a certain team size, I realized a lack of systems wasn’t just frustrating. It was creating risk. And if your company is scaling, you’re going to hit this same wall.

This episode gives you three simple, mindset-shifting strategies to force meaningful, scalable systems into your business, without feeling like you have to become a corporate robot.

💥 Key Takeaways:

✅ Systems won’t appear on their own - you have to install them

✅ Set growth targets that are impossible without structure

✅ Create external accountability to follow through

✅ Think of systems as something you iterate, not perfect

✅ When stress is reduced, system-building becomes easier

✅ You can enjoy the process even if systems aren’t your strong suit

✅ Don’t build systems for the sake of systems - build them for outcomes

✅ Gamify systems to reduce pressure and increase execution

📢 DOGCO MASTERMIND

Enrollment is open through June 6 or until full

Want to scale with structure, clarity, and support?

🎯 https://dogcolaunch.com

💬 Drop a comment if this resonated or send it to someone trying to scale their service business without burning out.

🐾 Subscribe for weekly insights that help you work smarter and lead stronger.

Are you chasing big shifts or building long-term momentum?

In this week’s episode, I dig into one of the biggest lies entrepreneurs buy into: that one-time effort will change everything. The truth is that consistency is what really drives results.

I walk you through how I’ve learned to build steady output into my daily workflow, why commitment and consistency are not the same thing, and what routines I use to stay grounded when business gets chaotic.

📢 DOGCO MASTERMIND
Enrollment is open now through June 6 or until full
Ready to scale with structure, clarity, and support?
🎯 https://dogcolaunch.com

This episode is a practical, honest push to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start showing up with intention, day after day.

📚 Chapters:
00:00 Consistency vs One-Time Effort
00:34 Why Change Feels Safer
01:45 The Trap of the Big Fix
03:00 Defining Real Consistency
04:12 Your Business Reflects You
06:00 Self-Accountability as a CEO
07:59 Time is Your Most Valuable Asset
09:13 Wind-Up and Wind-Down Routine
12:45 Creating Deep Work Windows
14:03 Morning Checklist Example
15:53 Evening Checklist Example
17:04 Time-Targeted Focus
18:14 Output Goals Over Tasks
20:45 Are You Truly Consistent?
23:03 Compounding Small Efforts
24:55 Wrap-Up and Encouragement

💥 Key Takeaways:
✅ Consistency builds momentum more than big ideas
✅ One-time effort rarely leads to lasting change
✅ Daily structure makes room for deeper focus
✅ Wind-up and wind-down routines anchor your week
✅ Output goals help avoid task list overwhelm
✅ Your actions should reflect your stated values
✅ Start small and let it compound
✅ You are the system your business needs

🐾 Subscribe for weekly, practical, growth-minded content built for pet care pros.

💬 Drop a comment: What’s your biggest barrier to getting out of the field right now?

📣 Like + share this episode with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone in this.

💸 Want to make more money on your pet sitting services?

LFG.

In this hot-take mini episode, I share one powerful pricing strategy that helped a pet care company I work with go from $35,000 in net profit to $150,000 in a single year, without increasing staff or adding complexity. (and yes - I said NET PROFIT.)

Whether you’re deep into pet sitting or just dabbling, this shift can dramatically improve your margins on this service line.

Inside this episode:

• The hidden costs within your pet sitting services
• A simple pricing change that adds pure profit to your bottom line
• The truth about after-hours fees (and how to roll them out without backlash)
• Real answers to your biggest FAQs - like whether to pass the fee to staff and if you need to announce it publicly

📊 This model isn’t about nickel-and-diming clients. It’s about protecting your margins and turning a high-effort service into a high-reward revenue line.

💥 Key Takeaways:

✅ Pet sitting often carries hidden operational costs

✅ Charge based on time, not service labels (IMO)

✅ Add $5–$10 after-hours fees for visits outside 9–5

✅ Clients rarely push back - and often shift to easier daytime windows

✅ Keep the fee - don’t pass it to staff

✅ No price increase announcement needed

✅ More money for the same labor = a win

📢 DON’T MISS THIS:
Join us at the DogCo Business Summit, Sept 26–28 in Winston-Salem, NC! Learn how to scale smarter, price better, and grow sustainably.
🎟 Get tickets at https://dogcosummit.com

🐾 Subscribe for weekly episodes that help you build a more profitable, people-first pet care company.
💬 Was this tip helpful? Let me know - tag @michelleckline on IG and share your takeaway.
🎯 Like + share with a pet sitter or solopreneur who deserves to keep more of their earnings.